Bottle-capping apparatus.



J. C. MILLER.

BOTTLE CAPPING APPARATUS.

APPLICATION FILED APR. i6. 19T?. j Patented Apr. 15,1919.

4 SHEETS-SHEET @Homo/:3.

i. C.'VHL ER. BOTTLE CAPPING APPARATUS. APPLICATION FILED APR. 16. 11911g Patented Ap?. 15,1919.

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4 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

.C. MILLER.

BOTTLE CAPPING APPARATUS. APT'LICATION FILED APR. I6. 1917.

Patented Apr. 15, 1919.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 3- HEI JOHN c.

TION 0F OHIO.

MILLER, OF COVINGTON, KENTUCKY, ASSIG-NOR, BY MESNE ASSIGNMENTS, TO 1. MILLER PASTEURIZING MACHINE COMPANY, OF CANTON, OHIO, A. CORPORA- BOTTLE-CAPPING APPARATUS.

Specication of Letters Patent. Patemtced A191'. A5, A919.

riginal application led August 24, 1903, Serial No. 170,645. Divided and this application led. April 16,

1917. Serial No. 162,536. A

, To all whom t may concern:

Be it known that I, JonN C. Mmmm, a citizen of the United States, residing at Covington, in the county ofKenton and State of Kentucky, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in and Relating to Bottle-Capping Apparatus, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to apparatus for capping bottles, more particularly apparatus in which the bottles are moved step by step to a position or positions for completely capping them.`

This application is a divisionof my application Ser. No. 170,645, led August 24, 1903.o

One object of the invention is to provide improved mechanism for delivering caps to the bottle tops.

Another object of the invention is to provide novel means for supporting the caps in position for insertion into the bottle tops.

Another object of the invention is to provide improved means for positioning the bottles to receive the caps.

Another object of the invention is to provide improved means for delivering sealing material to the bottle tops in order to seal the caps thereon.

With these and other objects in view the invention consists of the elements or combination of elements hereinafter described.

For the purpose of illustration I have in the accompanying drawings shown and herein described one form of apparatus embodyinmy invention.

' eferring to the drawings, Figure 1 1s a perspective view of an apparatus embodying my invention.

Fig. 2 is a central longitudinal sectional view thereof.

Fig. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view of the capping mechanism showing the operation of inserting the caps into bottle tops.

Fig.. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view of the capping mechanism with the delivery plate in position to receive 'closing disks.

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary plan view of pouring devices and driving mechanism. Fig. 7 is a fragmentary view of the driving connections for the conveyer.

Fig. 8 is a Adetail'view of elements shown in Fig. 7.

Fig. 9 is a detail view, partly in'section, of the conveyer.

Fig. 10 is a section on the line 10-10 of Fig. 9.

Fig. 11 is a section on the line 11-11 of Fig. 6.

Fig. 12 is a view, in section, of the adjusting devices for the connections between the pouring device and the driving mechanism for the conveyor.

Fig. 13 is a fragmentary view of the bottle centering device.

Fig. 14 is a detail view 'showing a disk in position ready to be inserted into a bottle.

In the drawings A represents the frame- `work as a whole, B the conveyor for the bottles, C the liquid receptacle or tank, D the lilling devices as an entirety, E the capping devices as an entirety and-F the sealing mechanism as an entirety. The main or primary driving mechanism is indicated by G and the driving mechanism for the conveyer and for the sto devices by vI-I, while I designates the mec anism for regulating the feed of the liquid as a whole.

The frame A preferably consists of a metal base 1- upon which are secured the side lates 2. 3 is a box-like receptacle secure between the side plates and supported by them and by the bracket 4 which is also secured to the side plates. At the rear said side plates are joined byl a 'ij-shaped member 5 which serves also 'as a bracket upon which to mount some of the driving parts, as will bep-hereinafter described. To the lower fronrt end of the box-like receptacle 3 is secured a plate 6 having as many rigidly secured the bosses or projections 7 as the machine has filling ducts. 8 indicates bolts by means ofthrough and through the bottom plate of the receptacle 3 are arranged the liquid escape ducts. Fitted into the bosses 7 are the tubes 13 for directing the liquid from the escape ducts to the bottles. To each of these tubes is tted a sleeve 14 which at its lower end is enlargedas shown at 15. This enlargem'ent or head 15 has an annular groovey adapted to receive the mouth of a bottle and is preferably ared to direct the mouth of the bottle into the roove. This head is also preferably provided with an annular, inwardly projectlng shoulder, which may be beveled to provide a seat for the liquid release valve 20 is a packing ring screwed into the top of the sleeve and fitting the tube 13 suiciently snugly to prevent the escape of liquid between said tube and the sleeve 14. A rubber gasket, not shown, may be inserted in the annular groove to prevent excessive pressure between the bottle and the head 15.

The liquid releasing mechanism consists of a valve 21. It may bev made of any suitable material, but preferably of rubber.A As shown, it has a smaller end adapted to pass up into the head 15, and a beveled shoulder 23 adapted to contact with the shoulder of said head 15 and to seal the liquid passage therethrough and a large end or nose 22 adapted to engage a bottle mouth to center it. The nose 22 of the valve is preferably rounded. The valve rods 24 extend up through the liquid escape ducts l2 and upward through tank 11, and are secured to the' cross head 25 in any suitable manner, preferably by a connection, preferably comprising screw threads and a lock nut, as

shown at 24". This cross head is provided at its .ends with shoulders or bosses 26 through which the rods 10 are passed, said rods serving to guide the cross head and to main-i tain all the operativel parts yconnected therewith in proper fixed relations as the said cross head is raised and lowered. 28 are anti-frictionrollers mounted at either side of said cross head for a purpose to be hereinafter described.

31, 31, are rods slidably mounted at their upper ends preferably in brackets 29, each of which is secured to a projection 30 on the cross head 25. The rods 31 at their lower ends carry. the depression plates 32 for thev sleeves 14. i Said plates 32 are secured to the rods 31 between two adjustable collars 33 which are adapted to be locked to the rods by the set screws 34. 36 is a loose collar mounted on each rod 31 above the upper collar 33.v The collar 36 serves as an abutment for a spring 37 which surrounds the adjacent rod 31. Each spring 37 extends between said collar 36 and the adjacent bracket 29 and tends to move the adjacent plate 32 downwardly. 'v

The depression plates 32 bear upon the sleeves 14 and are adapted to cause'them to move downward, as will be hereinafter described. 38 is a lever arm pivotally mounted on the shaft 39 which is mounted in bracket 4. It is provided at 4() with a longithe adjacent sleeve -14 and to 'bear upon the depression plate 32.

The capping devices E are arranged near the opposite end of the machine from the filling devices. Guide sleeves 42, 43, are secured to the frame andadapted to guide slide rods 44 wfhich are mounted to move longitudinally therein. 45 is a cross head secured 'by bolts 46 to the rods 44 and adapted to be moved up and down thereby.

47 are plungers movably mounted in vertical legs of the brackets 4. There are, by preference, as many plungers 47' as there are filling heads 14, and each plunger is arranged in the longitudinal plane of a filling head. The plungers arepreferably hollow, as shown at 51, to form a tube-like member. 48 is a rod, one end of which is secured in any well known manner to the cross head 45 and the other end is provided with an enlargement or piston49 adapted to engage with a spring 50 in the interior of the tube 51. This tube is preferably of a diameter slightly less than the diameter of the bottle Stoppers or disks indicated at 53, which are used for closing the bottles and is-preferably closed at both ends as shown. 52 is a needle point secured in the lower end of the tube 51. The needle point 52 serves to 54 is a weight rod of any suitable size and' shape adapted to bea;` upon and `cause the downward feed of the disks in the magazine. 55 represents a longitudinal slot in the magazine wall, which enables the operator readily to see the height of the pile of disks 53 therein. I

56 are shoulders or lugs on the bracket 4 which project out under the magazines 52.

. Upon the shoulders 56, and in close proximity to the bottom of the magazines 52 is secured a plate 57 preferably extending from one side of the machine to the other, and formed Iwith apertures 58 adapted to register with the grooves in the mouths of the bottles to be capped. Mounted on said plate 57 is the endwise movable valve or disk advancing plate 59. It is preferably maintained in position by guide strips 60 secured to the said plate 57. This valve plate 59 is provlded with disk or closure receiving apertures 61so spaced as to register with the lower orifices or delivery openings of the magazines and receive disks when the bottles are being advanced to the capping point or station, and to register with the apertures in the plate 57 and deliver the aforesaid disks thereto prior to the descent of the plungers 47. 62 are spring controlled wings or clips preferably pivoted at 63 in grooves in the under side of the plate 57, and adapt.- ed normally to obstruct or close the passageways or apertures 58. 64 are torsion springs m'ounted on the pivots 63 and adapted to hold the wings 62 normally across the mouths of said apertures. 65 is an opening in the side of the frame to permit the endwise movement of the valve plate 59.

The bottle advancing or conveying mechanism preferably consists of a table 66 provided at each end with a pair of downward projections 67 having enlarged bearings 68. In those bearings are rotatably mounted the shafts 69, 70, at front and rear ends of the machine, respectively. 71 represent sprocket 'wheels secured to said shafts 69, 70, and adapted to engage and drive the conveyer 72. This conveyer is of peculiar and novel construction. As illustrated, it consists of a series of parallel cross carriers 7 3 connected together by links 74, eachcross carrier having distinct and separate receiving compartments for as many bottles ,as the machine is adapted to fill at one time. Each cross carrier consists preferably of a bar 75 recessed as indicated at 76 for the purpose of lightening the parts. 77 are spring controlled jaws, one for each bottle, supported at each end by pins 78 seated and secured in the bars 75. the heads 79 of the pins limiting the outward movement of the aws 77 relative to said bar. 80 are springs mounted in adjacent recesses in the said jaws and in the bar 7 5 and adapted to aord a yielding grip for the bottles to be advanced..

81 are parallel ribs arranged longitudibrace the bottles at their bottoms.

Motion is imparted to the conveyer 72 through the shaft 83 mounted in bearings 84 (see Fig. 7) in the downward projections 85 of the table. The transmission of power is obtained through a wheel 86 se-y cured to said 'shaft and provided near its periphery with a lug 87 projecting at right angles to its face, said lugbeing adapted to engage with the radially arranged clips 88 on the face of a wheel 89 rigidly secured to the shaft 70. By these devices a step' by step motion is imparted to the conveyer, the movements depending on the rotation of 'the shaft 83, to insure that the bottles shall-be positioned properly at the points where they are to be'filled and capped.

I preferably provide automatically actuated stopA devices for each of the bottles adapted to limit the advance of the same be yond a certain point during each step by step movement lof the conveyer. The parts of these stop devices are illustratedinFig. 2. 90, 91, are horizontal cross bars arranged beneath the table 66. Secured thereto and extending vertically upward therefrom are the pins of stop bars 92, 93, which pass through the bosses or guides 94 on the table and are adapted to be projected into the pathways of the bottles at their points of filling and capping, as shown. 95, 96, are brackets secured to the bottom of the table and adapted to support the cross bars 91, and their operative parts. 97 is a "longitudinally reciprocating rod fitted into the guides 98 on the said brackets and adapted for slight vertical play therein. At its front end the said rod is pivoted to one arm of a bellcrank lever 99 which is pivotally mounted in a projection on the bracket 95, The other arm of said lever is pivoted to one end of the link 100 the opposite end of which is pivoted to a lug 101 on the bar 90.

At its rear end the rod 97 is pivotally connected to one arm of a bell crank leveri 102 which is likewise pivotally mounted in a projection on the bracket 96 and the other arm of which is pivotallyconnected to one end of a link 103 the opposite end of which is likewise pivoted to alug on the bar 91. It will be noted that the bell crank levers arc mounted in such a mbanner that the. weight of the parts supported by them will tend normally to throw the rod 97 rearward and withdraw the stop bars 92, 98, from the path of the bottles. i

104- is a cam secured to the shaft 83. lts

edges engage with the rear end of the rod the rod 97 so that the stop bars 92, 93, will be projected into the paths of the bottles as they approach the lling V and capping points, and the cam will, furthermore, permit the gradual withdrawal of said stop bars on the return throw of the return rod 97.

Itis very essential in machines of this description that quick and efficient means be .p provided for the adjustment of the `bottle supports or table relative to the filling and capping parts or vice versa, so as to readily accominodate vthe machine for .the filling and capping of bottles of different lengths. For this purpose I have mounted and balanced the table centrally upon a support or bracket 105, free to be vertically adjusted relative to the filling and capping mechanisms. 106 are bolts for securing the table to the supporti 105. .108- is a vertically arranged shaft provided at its upper. end with a screw threaded part 109 which is adapted tobe screwed into the body of the support. At the lower end of the screw there is a bearin plate and the lower end of the shaft pre 'erably`\ carries the bevel gear 111. 112 is a cross plate secured at its ends to the sides of thebase 1 and serves as the supporting member for the table 66. 113` 114. indicate bearing pieces secured to opposite sides of the late` 112. The shaft 108 ,passes centrally t rough an opening in the plate 112 and bearing pieces 113, 114. The collar 110 bears upon thel upper end of the hub 113. 115 is a horizontal shaft arranged directly below the vertical shaft 108 and havin its ends mounted in \the framework 1. t is provided with a bevel gear 116 adapted to mesh with and drive the bevel gear 111. The shaft 115 may project beyond one side of the base of the machine and be provided with a hand wheel 117 through which power may -be applied to turn the shaft, thereby raising or lowering the tableY 66 and its attached parts as desired.

118 indicates a paraffin tank preferably supported on brackets 119 secured to the sides 2 of the frame, only one of said brackets being shown in the drawings (see Figs. 1 and 2). The tank 118 is adapted to hold and to deliver melted paraflin to the tops of the bottles after they have beencapped, for the purpose of sealing them. 120 are apertures formed in the bottom of the tank 118 for the purpose of permitting the escape therefrom of the paraffin to the tops of the bottles. 121 is an endwise reciprocating valve plate supported adjacent tothe bottom of the tank by. guides 122 (Fig. 11)

which are preferably secured to the bottom of said tank. This plate is provided with apertures 123 adapted to register at predetermined intervals with the apertures 120 in the bottom ofthe tank to permit the escape of a sufficient amount of paraffin to properly coil 125 in the bottom of t e tank which is y adapted to keep 'the paraiiin in a molten condition. 126 is a discharge pipe for the water. Above each aperture in the tank may be arranged a throttle valve as indicated at 127, consisting preferably of a disk 128 with an aperture therethrough adapted to register with the aperture 120 in the tank bel'ou1 it. rlhis disk is provided with a stem 129 preferably swiveled thereto. The steam 129 extends through and, by means of a screw thread, adjustably engages with one side wall of the tank. The stem 129 may be provided at l-its outer end with a thumb piece 130. The flow of paraffin through any one or all of the apertures may thus be quickly re lated by adjusting said throttle valves.

he ower for drivingvall the operative parts o the apparatus is preferably a plied through the pulleys 131 on the sha 132 which is mounted longitudinallv'of the machine in bearings 133, preferably formed integral with the cross plate vor bracket 5.

rlhe shaft is provided between said bearings with a worm 134 adapted to mesh with and drive a worm gear 135 secured tothe transverse shaft 136 which is rotatably mounted in bearings 137 on the upwardly extending arms 138 of the sides of the frame. Power for operatin the filling and capping mechanism' is app ied as follows: At its eXtremities this transverse shaft 136 `carries cranks or cam-like devices 139., The devices 139 preferably comprise disks provided with Acrank lugs 140 projecting from their outer idly secured in a boss at the upper front corner of each side plate 2. Said levers 144 are preferably connected to the levers 141 above them by means of pivoted links 147 and the rear ends of said levers 144 are connected between collars 148 on the slide rods 44 of the rear cross head 45. i

149 is the cam through which motion is l preferably transmitted to thereciprocating plates 59 and 121. It is secured to the shaft 136 at any convenient point. 150 in-.

dicates the groove or guide on the periphery of said cam and- 151 the lug or roller on the arm 152- which is adapted to operate in said groove or guide.` Theyshaft 153 to one end of which the rocker arm 152 is rigidly -secured, is mounted in a bearing plate 154 preferably supported on top of the para tank 118. To the other end of said shaft is connected a rod 155 carrying at its lower end plates 156, 157, which are adapted to be connected to the under sides of the plates 59 and 121 respectively; portions of the cross plate 57 and of the guide strips 122 on the bottom of the parain tank being cut away to permit the attachment of said plates 156, 157, to their respective plates and to provide for the reciprocations thereof.

In Fig. 6 is shown in plan View and in full and dotted lines the positions of extreme throw of the rocker arm 152.

rlhe power transmitting devices for the conveyer comprise a gear 158 rigidly secured to the shaft 136 and adapted to mesh with a pinion 159 on a shaft 160 mounted in a bearing 161 at the upper end of the frame arm 138. On the outer end of the shaft 16() is secured a sprocket wheel 162 belted by a chain 163 to a sprocket wheel 164. The sprocket wheel 164 is secured to a counter shaft' 165 which is mounted in a bearing 166 carried by the table 66. On the inner Vend of said shaft 165 is secured a gear -167 which meshes with a gear 168 on the shaft 83.

One of the chief ditliculties experienced with automatic capping mechanisms. for bottles results from the irregularities in shape of the mouths of the bottles; accordingly I preferably provide means for centering the mouths of the bottles so that the inserting device for the closures will register exactly with the groove or opening in the mouths thereof. With this end in view I have provided a centering mechanism for the bottles which is indicated as a whole by L. It consists of a transverse bar 169 secured in the side plates of the frame. Pivoted to said bar are a series of parallel arms or bars 170 arranged above the pathways of the bottles along the table and' each provided with a plate 171 having an aperture 172 slightly larger in diameter than the plunger 47.

The under surfaces of these plates surrounding said apertures are liared as indicated at 173 for the purpose of engaging the.

mouths of the bottles and causing their openings to register with the apertures 172, thus insuring that the closures will be properly directed into the mouths of the bottles. 174 is a transverse bar arranged above the arms 170 and to which said arms are preferably secured by screw rods 175. At its ends said bar is mounted on the rods 176 pivotally suspended from the levers 144 and guided at their lower ends in brackets 177 secured to the sides of the frame. Springs 178 mounted on the rods between the said brackets and the bar 174 exert an upward pressure on the bar, thus holding the centering arms normally above .the bottles. 17 9 are collars rigidly secured to the rods 176 above the bar 174. Their function is to depress said bar against the pressure of the said springs 'as the lever 144 rocks downward, Causing thecentering arms to engage the mouths of the bottles and center them just prior to the insertion therein of the closure.

For the purposes of illustrating the complete operation of the machine it will be assumed that the conveyer sections above the table are supplied with a full complement of bottles 180; that is, bottles in all stages of advancement from the point of insertion in the conveyer sections to the point of removal therefrom. Starting then with the front cross member 215 at the upper end of its stroke, as indicated. in Fig. 1 the power is applied through the pulley 131 and transmitted through shaft 132 to the shaft 136 simultaneously imparting motion to all of the driven parts. The lugs 140 on the disks 139, Which are at this time at the lowest points in their anti-clockwise paths of rotation, begin to rise thereby swinging the levers 141 on their pivots 142 and causing their front ends to descend and at the same time causing the descent of the levers 144 under pressure applied to` them through the links 147, whereby the rear cross head 45 carryin the plungers 47 also begins its descent. s the front ends of the said levers 141 descend they are followed in their course-by the cross head 25 under the force of gravity due to its own weight, the weights of the parts attached to it and the depression weights 40. The anti-friction rollers 28 serve to minimize the friction between the levers 141 and the cross head 25. The power transmitted to the conveyer mechanism has in the meantime caused the advance of the conveyer, and the projecting of the stop devices 92, 93, into the pathway of the bottles at the points of filling and capping, so that the bottles are now properly positioned under the respective devices.

The forward advance of the conveyer sections is then interrupted and the heads of the filling devices 15 engage with the mouths of the empty bottles, the collars 179 on the rod 17 6 contact with and depress the bar 17 4 and cause the centering arms 17 0 to engage and center the mouths of the bottles under the capping mechanisms.

The further downward movement of the forward ends of the levers 141 permits the cross head 25 carrying the valve rods 24 to unseat the escape valves 21 against the resistance of the springs 37 and thereby permit the flow of liquid fromv the tank 11 to the 4 tures 58 above the bottles, depositing them upon the wings 62; while the valve plate 121 opens the escape ducts 120 to'permit the ilow of paran from its tank to the closures on the bottles beneath it. i

The further 'downward movement of the levers 141-, acting through the levers 144, causes the plungers 47 to drive the closures 53 into the grooves in the mouths of the bot tles. By this time the lugs 140 have reached the uppermost point in their circular course and now begin to descend, thereby causing the outer ends of the levers 141 to swin upn ward carrying therewith the cross hea s 25 and 45.

The cam 104 on the shaft 83 now permits the withdrawal of the stop elements 92, 93, from the paths of the bottles. The cam 149 vshifts the valve plates 59 and 121 causing the apertures 61 in the former to register with the apertures in the magazines 52; the shifting of the latter valve cutting o the flow of paraffin from its tank. rThe escape valves 21 are reseated, cutting olf the flow of liquid to the bottles and the filling heads 15 are lifted above the mouths of the same.

The lug 87 carried by the wheel 86 on the shaft 83 now engages with a cleat 88 on the `been placed in the conveyer sections at the forward end of the table.

The quantity of liquid delivered to the bottles is preferably governed by the diam-- eter of the pulley 131 which determines the speed of rotation of the shaft 132. The drivingpulley, not shown, being Vof fixed diameter and adapted to be rotated at a certain unlform speed the pulley 131 is so propor tioned that it will cause the valves 21 in the i filling heads y15 to be unseated for a fixed period of time necessary to permit the flow of a predetermined lauantity of liquid through the tubes 13 into the bottles.

The machine `shown in the drawings is adapted to supply bottles of two capacities. If the belt is placed unon the part ofthe pulley -131 of largest diameter the lvalve 21 will be opened for one: period of time; on the otherhand, if the belt is placed upon the part of the pulley of smaller diameter, the operation of the parts of; the machine will be more rapid 'than in the first instance, and therefore a smaller quantity of liquid will bepermitted to escape past the valve 21. lt will thusbe understood .that by changing the speed of rotation of the shaft 132, the

machine may be adapted to fill. bottles of did'erent capacity.

'When 1t is desired to cap the bottles with- `out sealing them, the valves 127 can be closed, or the sealing devices may be removed from the machine. Y

neonata When the table is adjusted vertically it is necessary that some form of compensating device be provided for either lengthening or shortening the chain 163, according to the direction of adjustment of the table. ln the drawings l have shown a slotted or grooved plate 181 secured to the framework of the machine. 182 is a bolt, the head of which is adapted to engage with the inner walls of the said groove. This bolt extends outwardly from the frame and is provided with a tubing or sleeve 183 and a nut 184. A sprocket idler 185 is loosely' mounted yon the said sleeve, as shown. When the table is raised or lowered, it is merely necessary to loosen the nut 184 and move the bolt 182 longitudinally of the stationary plate 181 untll the idler gives the desired tautness in the chain; then the bolt can Vbe secured in position by tightening the nut.

When 'the Elling heads 15 engage the mouths of the bottles they tend to form an air tight joint therewith and it is desirable to provide an air vent for the escape of the air in the bottles during the filling thereof. To accomplish this the valve rods 24 are preferably hollow, and have near their upv per ends apertures extending from the exterior of the rod to said hollow passageway. lt will be seen that the hollow valve rods provide communication between the interior of the bottles and the external air, and that the air in the bottles can escape therefrom as the liquid rises therein. v

The lower end of each valve is preferably rounded. This `end is arranged to project within the mouth of a bottle and by engagement with the interior wall. thereof to center it relative to the sleeve 14 in coperation with the bell-shaped lower end thereof.

To those skilled in the art of making apparatus of the class described, many'alterations in construction and Widely di'ering embodiments and applications of my invention will suggest themselves, without departing from the spirit and scope thereof. My disclosures and the description herein are purely illustrative and are not intended .to be in any sense limiting.

What I claim is:

1. In apparatus of the character described, the combination of a support for bottles, a holder'for holding in stacked relationship a plurality of caps, means for successively moving the caps in said holder to a position above the tops of the bottles, and a plunger having a yieldable cap engaging member for forcing each cap into` the top of a bottle when the cap is moved to the inserting position thereabove.

2. ln apparatus of the character described, the combinationof a support for bottles, a holder for holding in stacked relationship a plurality of caps, a plate movable below said holder and formed with an opening to receive a cap and deliver it toa position above a bottle top, and a plunger movable through the opening in said plate for inserting the `cap into the bottle top, said plunger being ceive a cap and deliver it to a position abovey a bottle top, and a plunger movable through the opening in said plate for inserting the cap into the bottle top, said plunger being' provided with a needle point adapted to project into the disk and hold it While the plunger is moving downwardly.

4. In apparatus of the class described, the combination of a support for bottles, a holder adapted to hold a' plurality of caps in stacked relationship, a plate laterally movable below said holder and formed with an opening to receive a Ycap and move it to a position above the mouth of a bottle, means for supporting the cap in the opening in said plate while positioned above the mouth of a bottle, and a plunger movable through the opening in said plate for forcing the cap into the' top of the bottle, said supporting means being movable to permit the operation of said plunger.

5. In apparatus of the class described, the combination of a support for bottles, aholder adapted to hold a plurality of caps in stacked relationship, a plate laterally movable below said holder and formed with an opening to receive a cap and move it to a position above the mouth of abottle, a pair of swingable Amembers for supporting the cap in the opening in said plate while positioned above the mouth of a bottle, springs for maintaining said members in operative position, and a plunger :movable through the opening in said plate for forcing the cap past said supporting members into the top of the bottle.

6. In apparatus of the class described, the combination of a support for bottles, aholder adapted to hold a plurality of caps in stacked relationshi a plate laterally movable below said holder and formed with an opening to receive a cap and' move it to a position above the mouth of a bottle, means for yieldingly supporting the cap in the opening in said plate While positioned above the mouth of a bottle, and a plunger movable through the opening in said plate for forcing the cap into the top of the bottle, said supporting devices being movable to permit the operation of said plunger.

7. In apparatus of the class described, the combination of a support for a bottle, means Vfor delivering a cap to a position and supporting it above the top of the bottle, and a plunger for inserting the cap into the bottle, said plunger being provided with a yielding cap engaging member.

8. In apparatus of the class described, the combination of a support for a bottle, means for delivering a cap to a position and supporting it abo-ve the top of the bottle, a device for engaging with the cap to force it i into the bottle top, a spring, and a member acting through the spring to actuate said device.

9. In apparatus of the class described, the combination of a support for a bottle, means for delivering a cap to and supporting it above the top of the bottle, a device for engaging with the cap to force it into the bottle top, said device being hollow, a spring mounted in said device and engaging at its lower end therewith, and a member engaging the upper end of the spring and operating therethrough to actuate said device.

10. In apparatus of the class described, the combination of a support for bottles, a

plurality of cap holders each arranged above the bottles but at one side thereof, respectively, a reciprocatable plate adapted to support the caps which are stacked in the holders, said plate being formed with openings, one for each holder, which simultaneously register first with the lower ends of the holders and then with the tops of the bottles as the plate is reciprocated, movable means arranged below said plate for supporting the caps after they have been positioned above the bottle tops, and means for forcing the caps into the bottle tops when moved by said. plate into registering positions therewith.

11. In apparatus of the class described, the combination of a support for bottles, a plurality of cap holders each arranged above the bottles, but at one side thereof, a reciprocatable plate adapted to support the caps A which are stacked in the holders, said plate being formed with openings, one for each bottle, which simultaneously registers first with the lower ends of the holders and then with the tops of the bottles as the plate is reciprocated, and means for forcing the caps into the bottle tops when moved by said plate into registering positions therewith, said means being provided with devices which secure the caps thereto while being inserted in the bottles.

12. In apparatus of the class described, the combination of a supportfor bottles, a plate formed with an opening arranged above the top of a bottle, a pair of spring operated members closing said -opening but pivoted to opposite sides of the opening and swingable downwardly, a stack of caps, a reciprocatable member formed with an opening to receive the lowermost cap of the stack, whereby each cap is moved to a position above the bottle top, and means engaging with each cap for forcing it past .said closing members and into the top of the bottle after the cap has been moved to a position thereabove.

1-3. In apparatus of the class described,

the combination of a support for bottles, la l reciprocatable support for a stack of caps, said support being formed with an opening to receive the lowermost cap of the stack, whereby each cap is moved to a position above the bottle top, means for forcing each L cap into the top of the bottle after the cap l whereby each cap is moved to a position above the bottle top, means for forcing each cap into the top of the bottle after the cap has been moved to a position thereabove, and devices normally arranged above the bottles and movable into engagement there- -with for centering them.

1'5. ln apparatus of the class described,

the -combination lof a support for bottles, a reciprocatable support for a stack of caps,

Asaid support being formed with an opening to receive the lowermost cap of the stack, whereby each cap is movedv to a position above the bottle top, means for forcing each cap into the top of the bottle after thecap has been moved to 4a position thereabove,

and a device normally arranged above the bottle top and movable into en agement therewith prior to the insertion o 'the cap to center i 16. ln apparatus of the class described, the combination of a support for bottles, a

' reciprooatable support for a stack of ca s,

said supprt being formed with an opening to receive the lowermost cap of the stack,

whereby each cap islmoved to a position above the bottle top, means for forcing each cap into the top' of the bottle after the cap has been moved to a position thereabove, and a pair of devices arranged to support each? cap when it is moved to a position above la bottle top, springs normally vmaintaining said devices in operative position but permitting the operation of said inserting means to insert the cap in thel bottle top.

17. In apparatus of the class described, the combination of a holder for a stack of caps, said holder being open at its lower end through which the caps are delivered one at a time, a reciprocatable plate arranged below said holder and formed with 'an opening toY receive the lowermost. cap of the stack` and move it to a position above a bottle top, means for inserting each cap 'into a bottle top,a tank for holding sealing material and formed with an opening through vwhich the material Hows onto the cap voia bottle, a

reciprocating plate adapted to Vopen andv ling the delivery of tlie caps to the inserting `position and the discharge of the sealing material from the holder of the sealing mechanism, and means for reciprocating said plates.

19. ln an apparatus of the class described, the combination of a capping mechanism and sealing mechanism, means for moving a plurality of bottles successively first to a position to receive a cap and then to a position for sealing, a pair of plates forcontrolling the delivery of the caps to the inserting position and the discharge of the sealing material from the holder of the seal-V ing mechanism, and means for simultaneously reclprocating said plates.

20. ln an apparatus of the class described,

the combination of a capping mechanism, a sealing mechanism, means for moving a plurality of bottles successively first to a osition to receive a cap and then to a position flor sealing, a pair of plates for controlling the'delivery of the caps to the inserting position and the discharge 'of the sealing material from the holder of the sealing mechanism,y means for reciprocating said plates, and meansfor inserting the cap into the bottle after it has been moved by said cap deliver plate into inserting position.

21. n apparatus of the character described the combination of a support for a set of bottles, a tank for sealing material formed with a plurality of openings in its bottom, one for each bottle, and a plate slidably connected with said tank and formed y.

with valve openings adapted to simultaneously register with the openings in said tank to control the flow of sealing material therethrough, means for reciprocating said plate, and valves :tor opening and closing the openings through sald tank.

22. In apparatus of the class described, the combination of a frame having a support for a set of bottles, a plurality ofholders,l one for each bottle, forlcoldmg a plurality of caps'in stacked relationship, said holders being arranged above, but at one slide of, the bottles, respectively, and transversely movable plate disposed below said holders and formed with a plurality of openings, one for each holder, adapted to receive the lowermost caps in the holders and simultaneously deliver them to positions above the tops 'of the bottles, a cross head slidably mounted on said frame and devices connected to said cross head for engaging with the caps when-positioned above .the bottle tops and forcing them thereinto.

23. In apparatus of the class' described,

the combination of a frame having a support for a set 'of bottles, a plurality of holders, one for each bottle, for holding a plurality of caps in stacked relationship, said holders being arranged above, but at one side of the bottles, respectively, a transversely movable plate disposed below said holdersv and formed with a plurality of openings, one for each holder, adapted to receive the lowermost caps in the holders and simultaneously deliver them to positions above the tops of the bottles, a cross head slidably mounted on said frame and devices connectedl to said cross head for engaging with the caps when positioned above the bottle tops and forcing them thereinto, each of said devices comprising a tubular member arranged to engage with a cap, a spring mounted therein, and a plunger acting throughsaid spring to operate said tubular member. Y

24.' In apparatus of the class described, the combination of a frame having a support for a set of bottles, a plurality of holders, one foreach bottle, Jfor holding a plu- A rality of caps in stacked relationship, said holders being arranged above, but at one side of, the bottles, respectively, a transversely movable plate disposed below lsaid holders and formed with a plurality of openings, one for each holder, ada ted to receive the lowermost caps in the olders and simultaneously deliver them to positions above the tops of the bottles', a cross head slidably mounted on said frame, devices connected to said cross head for engaging with the caps when positioned above the bottle tops and forcing them thereinto, each,A of said devicescomprising a tubular member arranged to' engage'wlth a cap, a spring mounted therein, and a plunger acting through said spring to operate said tubular member, and means for adjustably connecting said plunger to said .cross head.

25. In mechanism of the classdescribe'd, the combination of means adapted to engage the-mouths of bottles, mechanism for moving the bottles to and from said mouth engaging means step by step, whereby said mouthl engaging means operate during intervals when said bottles are stationary, and centering devices movable independently of said mouth engaging means and adapted to engage the mouths of the bottles in advance of said mouth engaging means to center the bottle mouths relative thereto.

26. In a mechanism of the class described, the combination of means adapted to engage the mouths of bottles, mechanism for movingthebottles to and from said mouth engaging means step by step, whereby .said p mouth engaging means operate during intervals when said bottles are stationary, centering devices movable independently of said mouth engaging means and adapted to engage the mouths of the bottles in advance of said mouth engaging means to center the bottle mouths relative thereto, and springs y for controlling the movement of the centering devices in one direction.

27. In mechanism of the class described,

the combination'of devices adapted to engage the mouths of bottles, mechanism for operating said mouth engaging-devices, bottle moving means for moving bottles to and from said mouth engaging devices, devices movable independently of said mouth en gaging devices and arranged toy engage'the bottle mouths in. advance thereof to center them, springs for operating said centering 29. In mechanism of the class described` the combination'of a frame, mechanism for capping bottles, means for moving the bot- -tles to and from said cappingmechanism;

said means comprising an advancing mem,- ber and a table over-which the bottles are moved step by step, means for moving the member step by step, and coperating stopping and centering devices engaging with the tops and sides of the bottles in adva/nce of the capping mechanism for holding the bottles at a predetermined position in registry with sald capping mechanism.

- 30. In mechanism of the class described, the combinationof a support formed with an opening arranged above a bottle to be capped, a` pair of devices pivoted to said support at opposite sides of and arranged to normally close said opening therein, a capi sup-ply mea-ns, ,including a movable plate adapted to successively deliver caps to'a'position above the opening in said support and above Said devices, and a plunger for pushing the Cap through the opening in said support, past said devices and into the mouth of the bottle, said plunger operating to move said devices' downwardly, whereby said del vices operate to guide the cap during its movementI from said support to the bottle mouth.

31. In mechanism of the class described, the combination of a support formed with an opening arranged above a Vbottle to be capped, a pair of devices pivoted to said support at opposite sides of and arranged to normally close said opening therein, a cap supply means, including a movable plate adapted to successively deliver caps to a p0- sition above the opening in said support and above said devices, and a plunger for ushing the cap through the opening in said) port, past said devices and into the mouth of the bottle, said plunger operating to swing said devices downwardly, and springs tending to swing said devices back to normal position, whereby, they maintain the cap in engagement and alinement With the plunger as it moves downwardly.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto signed my name.

JOHN C. MILLER.

supi 

